Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies at 49

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Slayer guitarist and founding member Jeff Hanneman died on May 2, 2013 of liver failure. He was 49. Pictured: Jeff Hanneman performs on October 3, 2010 in Miami Beach Florida. (Photo by Jeff Daly/Invision/AP)

May 2, 2013 6:18:26 PM PDT

DERRIK J. LANG AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - May 2, 2013 --

Jeff Hanneman, a founding member of the heavy metal band Slayer, has died. He was 49.

Slayer spokeswoman Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald says Hanneman died Thursday morning of liver failure at a Los Angeles hospital with his wife, Kathy, by his side.

The guitarist had recently begun writing songs with the band in anticipation of recording a new album later this year. He had been slowly recovering from what was believed to be a spider bite that nearly cost him his arm after he failed to seek immediate treatment.

Robinson-Fitzgerald says it's believed the bite contributed to the failure of his liver, but it is unclear whether an autopsy will be scheduled. No funeral arrangements have been made.